Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-09-22
GROVER CLEVELAND.
A TALK WITH ONE OF THEPR
IDENTs sCHoOLMATES.
Seme interesting incidcnts of His
Childhood's Days--The Qualities
(which Have Since Distin-
guisled Him Manifest In
His Youth.


last evening with one Of President
Cleveland's old schoolmates, WHO is
now occupying position here IN one of
the Government Departments. This
old schoolmate of the Presidents WAS
born st Fayetteville, New York, the
town that Mr.. Cleveland visited some
weeks ago.
He told me that Fayetteville is
beautiful village of some 1000 or 800
inhabitants, lying in romantic region
about seven miles east of Syracuse, and
is noted, among other things, for its
production of lime. The Cleveland
family removed to that place in the
year 1s40, 0,when the Rev. Richard Cleve-
land, the Presidents father, became
pastor of the Presbyteria Church, and
when Grover was only three months
old.
The gentleman referred to relat-
ed some Interesting "reminiscences of
the Presidents boyhood days at Fay
ettville.
Their first school days were presided
over by o. ID. Blanchard, who is still
living.
GROVE" A GREAT FAvoRITE.
s'Grove.' rs the boys all knew him.
said my informant, was always ia
vorite in and out of school. He was n
strong, good,natured youth, about as
studious as the average school boy, and
did not, as recollect him, evince any
special liking for books. Indeed. there
was nothing about him when we were
school boys together that indicated fu-
ture greatness. There were many 9th.
er boys there who were called brighter.
Although Grove was full of fun and
joined in all the boyish sports, such rs
riding down hill, snow-balling and the
carrying off of front gates, there was a
certain marked earnestneSs in hls man.
ner which distinguished him from the
other boys. When we went to the Fay
etteyille Academy, Grove belonged to
a debating society, and l frequently
heard him in debate. lie was not real
ly fluent speaker. but remember very
well that he rapidly developed into
close and forcihle reaSoner. If his ar
gumentative blows did not fash with
brilliancy, they were heavy and eff, Ct
i've for boy of fourtee. years Of age.
YOUNG CLEVELAND COURAGEOUS.
Grover was a decidedly courageous |
boy. He would patiently bear great |
deal of hectoring before he would fight,
but he was hard antagonist when his |
wlath became kiudled.. Irecollect one |
occasion when he gave an exhibition,
not only of his courage, hut also of his |
ability to defend himself against the |
assaults of fellow almost twice his |
size. This Individual was one of our
school bullies. Young Cleyeiand had |
interviewed to protect small boy from
severe cutting which the bully was in
hicting upon him, wherenpon he turned |
and said IF you don't shut up I'll |
will, said Grover, very coolly, as he !
Strengthened himself for battle. But /
the bully did not slap him, anu Grove
went in rough ana tumble, and in a
very short time he had his enemy down
believing loudly for mercy. He was
let up with bloody nose, and his repu-
tation as a fighter iiretrieyably lost.
This great victory established the con-
Queror's title to hero of the school, and
we were never thereafter afraid if We
had 'Grove' Cleveland on our side. He
was one of the few boys who dared Ia
make the hazardous ascent Of the brlfry
of the academy by way of the lightning
climbed up Ole night, when he was of
the party to usher in the Fourth of Ju-
ly by ringing the bell ut twelve O'Clock.
We were little early and went 10 sleep
i'm the belfry, around the floor of which
there was no railing to prevent our roll
ing off. believe on this occasion the
trustees. or somebody else in authority,
had forbidden the ringing of the bell,
but we couldn't see how the nations
birthday could be properly celet rated
ut Fayetteville, at least without 'whoop-
ing up the old bell, and so at twelve o.
clock we made her ring! While we
were making all the noise we could up
there we heard other noises in the bnild-
ing below US. and having The fear of the
trustees before our eyes. rapidly slid
down the rodl We reached the ground
safely with the exception of Grover ,one
of whose legs caught on split IN the
rod, which held him there firmly and he
could neither get up or down. We lib
Grated him finally latter much difficulty,
but his leg was pretty badly hunt. He
was already very fond of fishing, and l
sat with him many day on log on
the banks of Limestone Creek and
fshed for suckers. He was a quiet and
earnes. fisherman, and usually took
home a good string. l have always
thought it little singular that he ney-
er cared for horseback riding as a boy.
have no recollection of ever seeing
him on a horses back. ] don't, how
ever, think he was afraid of horse by
any means.
HE CLERKS IN DRUG STORE.
when GroYer's father moved from
Fayetteville. young Cleveland entered
drug store at that place where he re-
mained until 1853 or '54. He boarded
with his employer and was at that time
one of the most popular Young men in
the town. He was always genial,
and accommodating, making a
first-class clerk. He was firm friend,
and an agreeable companion, although